Machine for and method of uniting threads or cords



July 31, 1923. 1 1,463,401

. W. H. PEARSON ET AL MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF UNITING THREADS OR CORDSFiled April 12, 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet l July 31, 1923. 1,463,401

w. H. PEARSON ET AL MACHINE FOR AND l VIETHOD OF UNITING THREADS ORCORDS Filed April 12. 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet. 2

July 3l, 1923. 1,463,401 w. H. PEARSON ET AL v MACHINE FOR AND METHob OFUNI'TING THREADS OR corms Filed Anr il 12. 1-921 6 sheets-sheet 5 July31, 1923.

w. H. PEARSON ET AL MACHINE FOR AND METHOD .OF UNITING THREADS OR CORDSFiled April'l2, 1921 e sheets-sheet 4 i 71 I I m W Snow wot WM July'31,1923. 1,463,401

w. H. PEARSON ETYALI momma: FOR AND METHOD OF UNIT-ING THREADS on 003205Filed goril 12, 1921 s Sheets-Sheet 5 nveuto'w July 31, 1923.

w. H. PEARSON ET AL MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF UNITING THREADS 0R CORDSFiled April 12, 1921 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 4 nbentqz Patented July 31, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT v or F l-1c 3 WILLIAM H. PEARSON AND TIMOTHY 'J.KELLY, E PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY, Ass snons T0 BRIGHTON MILLS, A ooRroRAmoNon NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF UNITING THREADS OR CORDS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, 'WILLIAM H. PEAR- SON and TIMOTHY J. KELLY,citizens of the United States, residing at Psassaic, in the county ofPassaic and State of New Jersey,

have made certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for andMethods of Uniting Threads or Cords, .of which the following is aspecification.

The invention relates to a novel mechanism for uniting threads or yarnsin weaving or other textile or cord age work while avoiding forming :aknot therein which involves the entire thread or yarn and maintaining orreestablishing at said juncture :or place of union the amount or degreeof twist which is normal or standard for the remainder of the thread oryarn.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in parthereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned bypractice with the invention, the same being realized and attained bymeans of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in theappended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements,combinations and improvements herein shown and described. l

The acco'mpanyin drawings, referred to herein and constituting a parthereof, illustnate one embodiment of the invention, and together withthe description, serve to explain .the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings Fig. 1 is a top plan of a machine or mechanism embodyingthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation looking at Fig. 1 from the bottom of thesheet; V Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary detail of one of the threadholding clamps shown at the right-hand end of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detached, end elevation of the head of the windingreel Shown at the upper central part of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical, transverse section, taken on line -5-5 of Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 6 is a vertical, transversesection, so taken on line 6+6 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of thearrows;

Fig. .7 is a vertical, transverse section Application filed April 12,1921. Serial No. 460,725.

taken on the line 77 of Fig.1, nonem the direction of the arrows;

Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary top plan's,

similar to Fig. 1, but somewhat diagram-- matic, showing steps in theuniting of the threads;

Fig. 10 is afragmentary detail, largely in section, of a different formof control for the twisting mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary top planfof a workman operated drive for themachine;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 isa fragmentary view, partly in section and partly in vertical elevationof"a combined splicing and winding mechanism; Fig. 14. is a fragmentaryelevation, looking at Fig. 13 from the left; Fig. 15 is an enlarged,fragmentary de tail on line 151'5 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary detail of one form of device for lifting andsupporting a reel or spool;

Fig. 17 is a sectlon on line 171 7 of -Fig. 1-6; and

Fig. 18 is a detached detail of one form v l of spool lifting device. a

In the weaving of many kinds of fabrics, and in other textile or cordagework, is advantageous or essential that the ends of two threads or yarnsbe firmly. and positively united without knots or like protu berancesor'irregularities and that the threads.

or yarns at the place of such union or juncture be maintained ofsubstantially-the nor- Y mal or standard size and strength of the rc-.

mainder of the thread or cord by reestabl is'liing at the place of unionthe nor'i-nalbr standard amount or degree of twist.

The presentinvention provides a novel mechanism for effecting theabove-described function or operation in a positive, exact, easy andexpeditious manner, and provides a novel meansfor and method of,effecting the same. l

Referring broadly to'the present preferred embodiment of the invention,there are provided devices for holding each of two threads or yarns tobe united at two definitely spaced-apart oints, and, cooperatingtherewith, devices for uniformly and com;

ple e y l llt istillg the strands q mp s ng ends being then spliced orunited by a small knot, and for so treating each such corresponding pairof strands at predetermined or equidistantly spaced-apart points alongthe untwisted part, without changing the length of the untwisted part.Cooperating therewith are means for exactly and posi tively restoringthe normal or standard amount or degree of twist, by unwinding theaforesaid portion of one of the threads wherein the untwisting has beenstored. All these functions are effected without any useless and harmfultwisting or untwisting of other portions of the thread, cord, or likematerial.

Other features of the invention will be first described in connectionwith the following detailed description of the present pre ferredembodiment; and it will be under stood that so far as concerns certainaspects of the invention, the features already described may be utilizedapart from each. other, or in other relations or combinations withoutdeparting from the invention.

The invention finds one of its chief and most valuable commercialapplications in the manufacture of fabric for cord tires for motorvehicles for uniting, preparatory to weaving, the ends of the relativelyheavy cords which constitute the warp of such tire fabrics, and theterms thread or yarn used herein will be understood. to include thecords used in such tire fabrics.

Referring now to the details of the embodiment of the inventionillustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, a machine isprovided with a base 1, and preferably with an understructure whereby itmay be readily moved from place to place to operate upon reeled orspooled threads and yarn in working position, as for example uponcreels, the threads or cords from which are being supplied to a beameror loom. Such understructure, as shown, comprises legs 2, cross-pieces Sand wheels or casters 4, although such structure may be of any deiredform.

Referring now in detail to the mechanism mounted upon the general base1, two thread clamps 10 and 11 are provided, these clamps beingconveniently, though not necessarily, paired together in their mounting,one of the clamps engaging the end of one of the threads to be unitedand the other clamp engaging the other thread beyond the point at whichit is to be united to the first-mentioned thread As so preferablyembodied, these clamps are supported on a base 12, which is mounted onthe frame 1, and has projecting upwardly therefrom standards 13 and 14,in the upper ends of which there is mounted a clamp-supporting rod 15.The clamp 10 comprises a fixed aw 16, and a cooperating springpressedjaw 17 which is slidable along the rod 15. The clamp 11 comprises astationary jaw 18 and a cooperating spring-pressed jaw 19, which isslidably mounted on the rod 15. A helical spring 20 is coiled incompression about the rod 15, and yieldingly presses the jaws 17 and 19,respectively, against the corresponding cooperating j aws. Theseclamping jaws and two cooperating clamp ing jaws or like devices to belater described, delimit a desired or predetermined length of two cordsor threads wherein the strands are untwisted, cut separately atdifferent points, the strands of the tWo threads are tied together, andthe whole retwisted.

For the purpose of varying the delimited length of thread or cord, themechanism just described is mounted to be movable to and fro on the base1, and may be fixed in any such desired or predetermined position. Asembodied, slots 22 and 23 are formed in the base 1, (Figs. 1 and 7) andpins or rivets 24-. and 25 extend through these slots. At their upperends, these pins are fixed to a cross-bar 26 above the base 1, and attheir lower ends to a cross-barQ? below the base plate 1. A set screw 29is threaded into the cross-bar 2 6 and binds on the plate 12'to hold themechanism in a desired position, to which position it has been slidalong the base 1.

At the opposite end of said delimited length of the two threads or cordswhich are to be united, other suitable thread holding or clampingdevices are provided. As embodied, a clamp 34 is provided for the freeend of one of the threads, that is, to mark the delimited length at suchfree end. This clamp is provided with a stationary jaw 35, mounted upona shaft 36, and with a spring pressed jaw 37, mounted upon but movablealong the shaft, and cooperating with the jaw 35. A helical spring 38 iscoiled around shaft 36 in compression between the jaw 37 and a collar 39fixed on the shaft. Shaft 36 is journaled in a bearing 40, carried onthe machine frame, or on a housing 41, which may conveniently beemployed to enclose certain of the mechanism which is later d scribed. I

The mechanism for holding the corresponding end of the delimited lengthof the other thread or cord comprises a orum 41-2 fixed on a shaft 43,which shaft is likewise journaled in the housing 41. Drum 42 is providedwith flanges 44 and 45, between which the thread may be wound upon thedrum, later described herein. The flange 44; is provided with a slot 46into which the form, a pinion 48 is fixed on shaft 36, and

a pinion 49 is fixed on shaft 43. Intermeshing with both of thesepinions is a gear wheel 50, fixed on a shaft 51, which shaft isjournaled in the housing 41. A motor 52 may be utilized for driving themechanism, and as shown the pinion 49 is fixed directly on the motorshaft, or the shaft 43 may be regarded as a continuation of the motorshaft.

Means are provided for controlling the extent of rotation or number ofrevolutions of the drum 42 and clamp 34, so as to entirely untwist thestrand in the delimited length of the two threads or cords and to stopthe untwisting action at that point, and in conjunction therewith, meansfor restoring positively the same amount of twist to the strands afterthose of the two cords'have' been tied together. In the embodied form ofsuch means, the shaft 51 is screw-threaded as shownat 54, and ascrew-threaded nut 55 travels on the shaft. The nut 55 also travels on alongitudinally movable rod 56, which is slidably mounted in bearings 57and 58. The power circuit for motor 52 is provided with a pull-switch orsocket 59, of any suitable construction and manner of operation having acord or chain 60, which is connected to a bent end 61 of the rod 56. Ahand lever 63 is pivoted within or on the housing 41 at 64, the lowerend of the hand lever being connected to the switch cord at 65. A stop53 is adjustably carried on rod 56, with which the traveling nut 55engages to throw off switch 59. A cable 66 passes from'the switch to themotor 52, and the power circuit is indicated diagrammatically at 67.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, the retwist is impartedto the united strands of the two threads or cords by unwinding thethread from the drum'42, and in connection therewith,-means are providedfor taking up or rewindine; the thread unwound from drum 42. In theembodied form thereof,aspool or reel holder 7 5 is provided, having ashaft 76 and a seat'7j7 for the reel. The shaft 7 6 is journaled in anextension 7 8 from the housing 41, and fixed on shaft 76 is a pulley 79.A belt 80 runs over this pulley and also over a pulley 81, fixed onshaft 43. One of the reels carrying one of the cords'or threads to beunited is mounted on the. reel holder 75- The drive is a frictiondrive'which'willapay off the thread as it is wound on drum42wand willtake iti up again as it is unwound from the drum. A double pole handswitch is shown for reversing motor 52, thereby manually controlling thewinding movement in both. di-

rections if desired, and such a switch is shown at 82 in Fig. 1. 'VVhenthis switch is used, the switch 59 and the automatic'con- H 75 trollingmechanism therefor can be dispensed with. i

Means are provided for instantaneously lo eating the separated points atwhich the re spective strands of the two cords or threads are to besevered, and, as embodied, a pluralityof pins, 84 are placed in selectedholes 85 in the base 1. The pins 84 may also be I used in tying theknots in the strands of" the cords or threads.

The manner ofoperation of the hereinbefore-described mechanism issubstantially as The thread'or cord w reel a has its end placed in thespring clamp 34, and the thread is then placed at the other end of thepredetermined delimited length in the clamp 11. The thread y from thespool or reel Y) has its end placed in the spring clamp 10, and thethread is placed, at the other end of the predetermined delimitedlength, in one of the' slots 46' in flange 44 of the. drum 42.Thejdelimited lengths of the threads 00 and 'y are thus'held at bothends;

The'lever 63 is thrown by hand, turning the currenton to motor 52,and'the spring clamp 34 and the drum 42 are'rotated in the samedirection, the cord or thread y winding on the drum 42 one convolutionfor each r0- tation of'untwisting'motion imparted to thedelimited'length ofthe threads 00 andy. As the untwisting movement ofthe mechanism begins and. proceeds'the'n'ut 55 travels along the screwthread 54, and slides along the rod 56 until it strikes the adjustablestop 53. VVhen'the nut engages the stop 53, the rod 56 is slid endwise,and switch 59 is actuated and thereby throws off the current and stopsthe motor 52, when the strands of the'ndelimited portions 00 and y ofthe threads or cords a and 7) have been'com-p'letely untwisted. The stop53 may be set by calculation or by experiment to stop-the inechanismjustwhen thestrands are completely untwisted.

The slot 46, as already statedyclampsthe thread and prevents theuntwisting going beyond that point Also as the threads begirl to wind onthe drum 42 immediately at I the flange 44, there is no opportunityforr'e-l I verse twist in the thread.

The untwisted strands are then severally cutoff in pairs,"thatis, onestrand from each of the cords orl threads, substantiallyzi-n a line withthe respective indicating posts 84,

that one strand from one threadand a 5 corresponding strand from theother thread the retwisting being supplied by the descent of the weightwhen the foot lever is released. Referring to the embodiment of saidmechanism in detail, there is provided on the shaft 51 of the gear wheela pin-ion 105, and meshing therewith is, a gear wheel 106, fixed on ashaft 107, which shaft is ournaled in bearings 108 and 109, mounted onthe machine frame. Fixed on shaft 107 is a drum 110, about which iswound a cord 111, to one end of which is attached a weight 112, theother end of the cord being attached at 113 to a foot lever 114. I Footlever 114 is pivotally mounted on the machine frame at 115, and a stop116 may be provided to limit its upward travel.

Means may be provided for controlling the foot lever both to regulatethe amount of the Lin-twisting and retwisting action, and forcontrolling the lever without the necessity of the workman keeping hisfoot upon it. As embodied, a detent lever 118 is pivoted at -1-19 on themachine frame and is yieldingl y held to engaging position by a spring120.

-- A pin 121 serves to limit the movement of the detent lever. A pin 122is provided on the pedal lever 114, which is adapted to engage with aplurality of notches 123 in the detent lever 118. In operation, theworkman steps onlever 114 and depresses it to the required extent toeffect theuntwisting of the strands, and when this is completed, lever114 will be held in that position by the proper notch 123 in: detent'lever 118. When it is desired to effect the rewinding, the workman stepson the detent lever 118, releasing lever 114, and the descending weight112 will drive the mechanism during the retwisting operation.

In Figs. 13 and 14 a combined thread or .cord splicing and windingmachine is shown, and in the embodied form the winding mechanism has aplurality of WlIlCllIlg devices arranged side by side in the machine,the splicing mechanism being movable to and fro along the windingmechanismto bring it successively into convenient operative relationwith any desired winding de vice.

So far as concerns many features of the invention, the winding mechanismmay be of any desired or convenient form, and as shown herein the reelsor spools are arranged horizontallyand one above another, the thread orcord being wound from an upper reel or spool to another located belowit.

Referring now to the details of the illustrated form of windingmechanism, this is shown in endview in Fig. 13 as of doubleconstruction, that is with one set of. windingmechanisms facing to theright (shown in elevation) and another set of winding mechanisms, facingto the left, (shown partly in elevation and partly in section),

.all being mounted upon one machine frame.

As appears from Fig. 14,- a plurality ofv sets of winding mechanisms ordevices are arranged side by side in the machine frame,v and adescription of 'a single set ormechanism will be suflicient for all.-Meunt'edon a frame piece 90 area pair of upwardly and outwardlyextendingarms 91- and92, having their outer ends recessed, as shown at93 and 94, respectively, to support a rod 95 upon which a reel or spool96' is mounted loosely so that the thread may be unwound therefrom.Directly below the mechanism just described, as embodied, a pair ofarms-97 and 98 extend from a sleeve 99, Which-sleeve is mounted to swingloosely on a rod or shaft 100, supported on the machine frame. The arms97 and 98 are formed ati-their outer ends to hold a rod upon which thewindin spool is mounted to rotate freely, there being movable to receiveand discharge the spools. As embodied, this spool-supporting rod 101 ismounted in arecess in the end of the arm 97 and a pm 102 passes throughthe end of the arm and the rod, the-rod being thus pivoted to swingoutwardly, so that the spool or reel may be readily placed there'- onand removed therefrom. y 1

The arm 98 is cutaway at its outer end (Figs. 13 and 16) to form a seatfor the rod 101, and a hook 104 is pivoted at 109 on the arm 98, and isadapted to swing; don/1 1'- wardly to hold the spool supportingrodlol inposition and to be swung: upwardly to release the rod, so that the rodmay be swung outwardly for the purpose of changing' spools as described.M

The winding is effected in the presentembodiment by means. of frictionwheels or discs 106-, which are located just beneath a reel or spool107, mounted uponthe ro-d 1 01, when in operative position. The wheel106 contacts with the, spool 0r reel 107, or.

with the cord or thread thereon, torotat'e the spool and effect thewinding operation. The wheel .106 is fixed on a.shaft 105,journaled inthe machine frame, the shaft being driven by any suitable driving meansMeans are provided in the embodied form for lifting the spool'or reel107- clear of the winding wheel 106 and maintaining it ,in

this elevated or ino erativ'e aosijtion durin C the changing of spoolsor reels. As em bodied. referring first to Figs. 18,14 and 15, a bracket110 extends downwardly (Fig.

15) from the support 111 for the rod or shaft 100, and journaled in thisbracket is a shaft 112,-to which is fixed a hand-lever 113. Fixed orintegral withjshaft 112is;a cam .114, positioned beneath; the arm 98.

When hand lever 11?) isfdrawn downwardly and to the left from theposition shown at the left hand side of Fig. 13-, the. correspondingarms, 97 and 98 are swung upwardly, lifting, the spool or. reel awayfrom the winding wheel 106 to convenient position for changing thespools, and by moving the hand lever 113 in the opposite direction thespool is again brought down on the winding wheel.

A weighted arm 115 is preferably employed to press the spool againstwinding wheel 106 to insure effective winding contact or friction, asshown at the left in Fig. 13. The arm 115 may also be utilized, as shownat the upper right hand side in Fig. 13, to hold the spool and spoolholding arms in inoperative or idle position. For this purpose, the arm115 will be swung backwardly beyond shaft and will maintain the reel orspool 107 in elevated position until the entire deviceis swung outwardlyand downwardly and arm is again brought beyond shaft 100.

In Figs. 13 (left-hand side), 16 and 17 a different form of mechanism isshown for lifting the spool and its supporting arms for changing thespool or reel. In this form, a wedge or wedged-shaped cam is mounted toslide longitudinally in a guideway 121 in the frame piece 122. A handle123 projects downwardly or outwardly from the wedge 120. Both theinclination of the cam 120 and of the guideway 121 may be utilized toeffect the lifting of the spool. When the handle 123 is pulled to theleft in Fig. 16 the spool or reel 107 will be lifted .to the inoperativeposition, that is, to stop the winding and to permit the spools to bechanged, and when the handle 123 is pushed to the right in Fig. 16, thearms 97 and 98 are dropped down and the spool 107 is brought intowinding relation with the Winding or driving wheel 106.

In Fig. 14 the right-hand reel or spool 107 is shown in the raised ornon-windin position, being retained in that position by its weighted arm115. The two spools 107 to the left thereof are shown in windingposition, that is, in position to be driven by the corresponding windingreels 106.

In the present embodiment, the thread or cord splicing or unitingmachine 125 is shown mounted to slide to and fro along in front of aplurality of the winding mechanisms, thereby being brought intoconvenient operative relation with any desired one of the windingmechanisms, and for this purpose, supporting and guiding bars 126 and127 are disposed longitudinally along the frame of the machine. Bars1261 and 1262 are employed to impose proper tension upon the thread asit is wound upon the spool 107. A reciprocating thread guide 128 is alsousually employed to lay the thread evenly along the spool as it is woundthereon.

In this embodiment, the splicing or uniting machine 125 is mounted uponand so as to slide along the guide bars 126 and 127,

whereby it may be used tosplice the threads or cords therefor, and maybe slid in front of any one of the Winding devices, and may be used tosplice the threads or cords therefor, and may then be slid in front ofanother of the winding device for this purpose, and so on to and frofrom one winding device to the other as may be required in the work.

In the present form, the base 130 of the splicing machine is extended,and the guide bars 126 and 127 are so positioned that the base 130 restsupon bar 126 and beneath bar 127; thereby forming the desired slidablesupport for the splicing machine. The splicing machine shown in Fig. 13is of somewhat different form or appearance from that shown in Fig. 1(the particular features of which are set forth in a copendingapplication, Ser. No. 488,178 filed July 28, 1921, but the machine ofFig. 1 could be mounted in the same manner by extending the base 1thereof as shown at 13]. and omitting the legs upon which the machine ismounted as shown in Fig. 2. I

The mechanism renders the work of wind" ing much more easy andexpeditious and enables an operative to serve a larger number of windingmechanisms. It leaves the op erative free to watch the windingmechanisms and to have both hands free for the work of splicing oruniting the threads or cords. The splicer may by a simple move ment ofthe hand be positioned with respect to any particular winding mechanism.The splicing mechanism need not be supported by the operative nor doesit require floor space nor to be moved about the floor from place toplace.

In Fig. 18, and at the right in Fig. 13, a damping or braking device isshown for preventing the spool of thread 107 coasting or spinning as itis lifted from the friction driving roll 106. In connection therewith isshown a somewhat different form of the spool lifting cam, although thespool brake could be applied to any of the spool raising devices. Inthis form of the spool raiser, a sliding cam is slidably support ed in achanneled guideway 141, supported on a bracket 142 fixed to the frame.This cam 140 engages beneath the arm 98 in the same manner as cam 120,already described. A rod 143 extends outwardly whereby the cam 140 maybe slid to and fro to let the spool down on to the driving roll 106 orto lift it therefrom. A leaf spring 144 is fixed to cam 140 and extendsoutwardly into frictio-nal contact with the spool 107 and acts as abrake to prevent spinning or coasting of the spool when it is off thefriction wheel 106.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specificmechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefromwithin the scope of the accom panying claims without departing from theprinciples of the invention and without sacrificing its chiefadvantages.

What we claim is 1. A mechanism for uniting threads or cords includingin combination means for delimiting two equal lengths in the ends oftwo. threads, means for untwisting the strands of said lengths, andsimultaneously winding another portion of the thread and by theunwinding of said portion to restore the twist to the untwisted strands.

2. A mechanism for uniting threads or cords including in combinationmeans for delimiting two equal lengths in the ends of two threads, meansfor untwisting the strands of said lengths, and simultaneously windinganother portion of the thread and by the unwinding of said portion torestore the twist tothe untwisted strands and means for effecting saidunwinding.

3. A mechanism. for uniting threads or cords including in combinationmeans for delimiting two equal lengths in the ends of two threads, meansfor untwisting the strands of said lengths, and simultaneously windinganother portion of the thread and by the unwinding of said portion torestore the twist to the untwisted strands and means operatingautomatically for effecting said unwinding. i

4. A mechanism for uniting threads or cords including in combinationmeans for delimiting in side by side relation two lengths in the ends oftwo threads, and means for untwisti-ng the strands of the delimitedportion of the threads and simultaneously winding an adjacent portion ofone thread, the unwinding of said wound port'ion of the thread restoringthe normal twist to the untwisted portions after the correspondingstrands of the two threads have been reunited.

5. A mechanism for uniting threads or cords including in combinationmeans for delimiting. in side by side relation two lengths in the endsof two threads, and means for untwisting the strands of the delimitedportion of the threads and simultaneously winding an adjacent portion ofone thread, the unwinding of said wound portion of the thread restoringthe normal twist to the untwisted portions after the correspondingstrands of the two threads have been reunited and means for determiningthe extent. of the untwisting and twistmg. g

6. A mechanism for uniting threads: or cords including in combinationmeans, for delimiting in side by side relation two lengths in the endsof two threads, and means for untwisting the strandsof the delimitedportion ofthe threads and simultaneously winding an adjacent portion ofone thread, the unwinding of said wound portion of the thread restoringthe normal twist to the untwisted portions after the correspondingstrands of the two threads have been reunited and meansoperatingflautomatically for determining the extent of the untwistingand twisting.

7. A mechanism for uniting tlireadsor cords including in combinationmeaiisrto'r delimiting two equal lengtl is in the. ends of two threads,means for untwisting the strands of said lengths,and simultaneouslywinding another portion of the thread and said delimited lengths. a

9. A mechanism for uniting threads or delimiting two equal lengths inthe endsaof two threads, means for untwisting the have been reunited andmeans for varying .95 cords including in combination means for:

strandsof said lengths, and meanscont-rolled by said untwisting meansfor restoring the twist to said thread after the untwisted strands ofthe two threads havebeen united and a plurality of distance; indicatingde= vices. for different strands spaced along. said delimited lengtlitoindicate points of. Severance and tying of the strands. r

10. A'mechanism for uniting, cords: including! in combination means fordelimiting two equal lengths in the. ends; of two threads, means foruntwisting, the

th ds. o

strands of said "lengths, and a reversible I rotational device which isrotated in one direction as the strands arev untwisted and is laterrotated, in the oppositedirection to restore the twist to the unitedstrands and a plurality of distanceindicating devices for diflerentstrands spaced along said delimitedelen-gth to im" dicate pointsofseverance and tying of the strands.

11. A mechanism for ui i-itin-g threads: or

cords including in combination means for delimiting in side by ,siderelation two.

lengths in the ends of two. threads, and

means for untwisting'the strands Oft1 1 -d -Q-.

limited portion of the threads and simultaneously winding; an adjacentportion. of

one thread,- thennwinclingo-f said wound. portion oil the thread.restoring the normal twist to the untwisted portlons atter thecorresponding strands of the two threads tance indicating devices fordifferent strands spaced along said delimited length to indicate pointsof severance and tying of the strands.

12. A mechanism for uniting three-cs 0r cords including in combination adrum having a thread clamping device, a thread clamp for the same threadspaced away from the drum, tWoclamps for another thread, one

substantially in alinement with the drum and the other in substantialalinement with said other clamp tor the drum thread.

13. A mechanism "for uniting threads or cords including in combination adrum having a thread clamping device, a thread clamp, for the samethread spaced away from the drum,two clamps for another thread, onesubstantially in alinement with the drum and the other in sub tantialalinement with said other clamp for the drum thread and a plurality ofdistance indicating derices for different strandsspaced alon saiddelimited length to indicate points or SQ?- erance and tying of thestrands,

14. A mechanism for uniting threads or cords including in con'ibinationa drum having a thread clamping device, a thread clamp for the samethread spaced av from the drum, two clamps for another thread, onesubstantially in alinement with the drum and the other insubstantialaline' ment with said other clamp for the drum thread and means fordetermining the nun ber of rotations of the drum.

15. A mechanism for unith cords including in combination a drum having athread clamping device, a thread clamp for the same thread spaced awayfrom the drum, two clamps for another thread, one substantially inalinement with the drum and the other in substantial alinement with saidother clamp :tor the drun thread and means operating automatically fordetermining the numberot rotationsof the drum.

16. A mechanism for uniting threads or cOrdsincluding in combination adrum having a thread clamping device, a thread clamp for the same threadspaced away from the drum, two clampsfor another thread, onesubstantially in alinement with the drum and the other in substantialalinement with said other clamp for the drum thread and means forvarying the distance between the clamps. 17.A mechanism for unitingthreads or cords including in combination a drum having a threadclamping device, a thread clamp for the same thread spaced away from thedrum, two clamps for another thread, one substantially in alinementwiththe drum and the other in substantial alinement with sald other clampfor the drum thread and means for varying the number of rotations of thedrum.

18, A mechanism for uniting threads or cords including in combinationmeans for delimiting a length in a thread, means for untwisting thestrands in the delimited length and for winding the thread adjacent tothe delimited length to prevent undesired twisting action therein.

19, A mechanism for uniting cords including in combination means fordelimiting a length in a thread, means for untwisting the strands in thedelimited length and for winding the thread adjacent to the delimitedlength to prevent uncle-- sired twisting action therein and for subsequently unwinding the wound thread to retwist the delimited length tothe correct degree or amount.

20. A mechanism for uniting threads or cords including in combinationspaced apart strand nntwisting and twisting devices holding two cords '1substantially parallel relation and a, plurality of spaced-apart markerslocated at predetermined points therebet-rveen to indicate points oiseverance oi the strands in pairs, one strand of each pair from eachcore,

The method of uniting two threads without a knot which comprisesdelimiting two equal lengths in the ends of the two t T eads, untwistingthe strands in the dela ited lengths, sinmltaneously winding a portionor one thread adjacent the delimited part, cutting the correspondingsets of strands of the twothreads at different points along thedelimited lengths and tying the strands of each set together, andunwinding the wound. portion of the thread to impart the normal orstandard twist of the thread to the untwisted and united part of the twothreads.

29, The method of uniting two threads without a knot which comprisesdelimiting two equal lengths in the ends of the two thre ds, untwistingthe strands in the delimited lengths, simultaneously winding a portion.of one thread adjacent the delimited part to prevent harmful untwistingof the thread outside said delimited portion, uniting the untwistedstrands and retwisting them to the standard or normal twist of thethread.

23. The method oi uniting two threads without a knot which comprisesdelimiting two equallengths in the ends of the two threads, untwis ingthe strands in the delimited lengths, preventing untwisting of thethread outside the delimited length, storing a record of the amount ofthe untwisting, uniting the untwisted strands of the two threads, andretwisting them to the standard or normal amount of'the thread from saidrecord.

2a. A mechanism for uniting threads or cords including in combinationmeans for delimiting lengths of two cords and means for untwisting thestrands of the delimited lengths for uniting them and for retwisting thestrands after'uniting and for preventing twisting of a thread beyondsaid delimited len th. r

A mechanism for uniting threads or cords including in combination meansside by side for delimiting lengths in two cords, means for untwistingthe strands for uniting them and. for retwisting them after uniting,means for winding a portion of one of said cords as its adjacent portionis untwisted and a plurality of markers arranged diagonally andlongitudinally between the two delimited lengths for indicatingseparated points of severance for respective pairs of strands, one fromeach cord, so that the various pairs of strands may be united atdifi'erent points and the united strands be of uniform length.

26. A mechanism for uniting threads or cords including in combinationmeans for delimiting lengths of two cords, means for untwisting thestrands of the delimited lengths for uniting them and retwisting theunited strands, and means for winding a thread proportionally to theuntwisting of the strands, and means for supplying slack from a spool tosaid winding means and for taking up the slack during the rewinding.

27. A mechanism for uniting threads or cords including in combinationmeansv for,

delimiting lengths in the ends of two threads, means for untwisting thestrands of said lengths, and simultaneously winding another portion ofthe thread and by the unwinding of said portion to restore the'twist tothe untwisted strands.

28. A mechanism for uniting threads. or cords including in combinationmeans for delimiting two equal lengths in the ends of two threads, meansfor untwisting the strands of said length and preventing twist in other.parts of the threads and means for restoring the twist after thestrands ofthe two threads are united in pairs.

29. The method of uniting two threads without a knot which comprisesdelimiting equal lengths in the ends of the two threads,

untwisting the strands in the delimited lengths, storing a record in thethread of the amount of the untwisting by winding it the same amount inthe opposite direction,

uniting the untwisted strands of the two threads, and retwisting them tothe standard or normal amount of the thread from said record.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification.

WILLIAM H. PEARSON.

TIMOTHY J. KELLY.

